Viscosimeter



Jan- 8, 1946. R. N. GRIESHEIMER 2,392,662 l i VISCOSIMETER Filed March 26, 1942 2 Sheets-Sheet l Jan. 3, ,1946.

Filed March 26, 1942 N. GRIESHEIMER VISCOSIMETER 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Rtsz'n vom wlw. TA NA' V/.scasfrsn i PAPER l MA cH/Nz Patented Jan'. 8, 146

n y v2,392,6tzf f UNITED STATES! PATsNrorFlca vrscosIMETEa Rudolph N. Griesheim", Chillicothe, ohiaassignor, by mesne assignments, toK-C-M Conv. pany, Dayton, Ohio, a corporationof Delaware Application March- 26, 1942, Serial No. 436,371

This invention relates to viscosimeters. It is the principal object of the invention to provide a, direct reading viscosimeter, free of moving parts, which'through simple pressure .measurements provides a direct measurement of 4 Claims: (CL- 'I3-54).4

. tant or thixotropic nature which is accurate rvand.

reliable in' operation, and in which the viscosity is measured at a definite rate of shear.

It is a still further object to provide a visco-l simeter which provides for simply and accurately determining and regulating the viscosity of a fluid under -a predetermined high rate of shear comparable V'with that to which the ii'uid is subjected in use.

Other objects and advantages willbe apparent from the accompanying drawings, the following description and the accompanying claims.

In the drawings,

` Fig. 1 isan elevationalview showingan instal-l lation for supplying iiuid to a desired location in which` a viscosimeter provides for measuring, recording, and regulating the viscosity ofthe fluid being handled.

Fig. 2 meeroken view partially in elevation and partially in section itself; l

Fig, 3 is a view partiallyin section 4'and partially in plan ofthe instrument of Fig. 2; and

through the instrument those occurring in uacture of paper, it has'.v been found that such compositions .are usually thixotropic, and unless thefviscosity of such 'acomposition isrmeasured and regulated under conditionsv comparable with of application,- the proper. yviscosity..characteristics will` not be securedfwlth certainty. It is found; however,"that `through the-practicing of the present invention .the condition of vshearing "rate-lwhlchyobtalns :in the'zon-e ofv the coating press may bek reproduced and that when theviscosity under thesev conditions is measured and predeterminedlto be within adesired range, then greater `uniformity andimproved results are obtained inthe actual application' of'` such compo" f sitionsto the paper sheet. While not limited to the treatmentof any-particular composition, the

present invfrlii'onv vwill be described for illustrative 'purposes with relation tothe handling of a coating composition Asuch as that used in the manufacture off paper, iroln which it will be apparent Fig. 4 is a diagrammatic view showing the application of the instrument to continuousreguf lation of viscosity.

Heretofore considerable ydifiiculty has been encountered in attempting to measure, record. or regulate the viscosity of a liquid under high rates of shear, i. e., rates of shear well above the usual rates of approximately 15 'to 25 reciprocalseconds and upto as high as" 200 reciprocal seconds or above. This difiiculty is more particularly encountered in connection with liquids which are either dilatant or thixotropic in their characteristlcs and which it is desired to ytest under high 'rate of shear conditions. In certain operations,

such for example as in the `handling of coating compositions, and theA application thereof on coating presses in the' manufactureof paper, itis desirable to measure and accurately control the viscosity of such coating composition to therebyy secure ,greateruniformity and superior quality in the nished product. Few liquids. however, exhibit true Newtonian characteristics, and in most cases the liquids are either dilatant or thixotropic, i. e., their viscosities increase or decrease depending upon the rate of shear tov Which'the liquid is subjected. In the case of the coating compositions of the character used in the manof shear conditions,

that 'the invention is""`s imilarl'y 'of rvalue in connectionwith the handling of othercompositionsv Aeitherof "a thixotropic natureyor of a dilatant In accl "rdance with thepresent inventionv there is provided a position mfay be testedand'regulated under desired conditions lofshearing rate, and in which such shearing rate maybe accurately and easily predetermined and maintained at a desired value. Such value may be' selected' to be a low rate of shear, or maybe inc reasedto afhigh range, substantially beyond therange now attainable with otheravailable viscosimeters. .The device embodies no moving parts in ythe measuring portion of the instrument,y andthe' measurements are de; termined entirely kon the basis of pressure indications, so .that great accuracy vand simplicity result. 1

yThedrawings showa preferred embodiment of the invention illustratedwith vreferenceto an arrangement ior measuring and controllingthe viscosity of` a coating composition such as that used inthe coating of paper. In ksuch 'composition l when vapplied with the usual roll coating press..

it is found that a condition of high rate oi shear is producedin the vcoating material immediately atA the zone of application. 'and it becomes important to maintain the viscosity ci the composition under such high shearing rates within a sub-' stantially narrow range. The apparatus illustrated'thereforeis representative of lone in'which provision is made foiymealsuring'l and'regulatlng the` viscosity f of; a` ythixotropic fluid under' high rate such as up to several hundred reciprocal seconds. A sfpreviouslyLindlcated, the invention is equally `applicable inthe handling oi dilatantcomp'ositions, and in providing for actheviluldy at its actual .point viscosimeter in which a fluid conlcurate measurement and control under both relatively low and even higherratesof shear.

The machinebase yis vshown ,at ,IIl on whichis mounted a. pedestal I'I supporting bearing I2 and having an extended projecting portion I3 on which is mounted va pump I4. The pump'is of f such character as to lprovide rfor maintaining'a f substantially constant rate of how of liquid therethrough; preferablyit consists ofaiMoyno posi-r tive displacement screw type pump,` having la ing action of theliquid at definite and .constant velocity when driven at-constant speed.

passage of the fluid through space 41 under pressure. A discharge conduit 56 communicates with the lower pressure chamber 4I `to discharge the liquid therefrom.' l'

While the construction has been described as f being cylindrical in shape, ity may also be constructed to have a shape other than cylindrical,

the annular space 41 being either/arcuate and non-cylindrical,-, or of polygonal cross-section.

\ l Following passage through the instrument, the

v"iiuid'discharg'es through conduit 5 6 which leads v plurality of stages, to provide f-for positive feed-l A pulley is shown at I5 which may bev driven y' side of the pump and there is preferably convto -a flow meter 51 which is of the positive displacement or nutating piston type, orl as shown the Stahl-Vis Rotameter type, such that its indications are.. practically unaffected by changes in the viscosity of the fluid'. By observation of the flow meterl "the velocity vof flow may befdeterminedandv ,the ,drive adjusted to maintain a 4oonstant velocity. v

The discharge from ,the -flow meter'is deiivf eredJby conduit 58 t'ojthe machine chest'orother nected to this conduit a vpressurerelief lvalve in.-l l

dicated at 23 which will open inthe event oif stoppage of flow through conduit-22 to Y avoid tive displacement pump. A

A thermometer 24 maybe yincluded for measurbuilding up a'dangerous pressure with @the posi` y delivering the fluid intova suitable strainer 26for the purposenof removing any lumps o r' oversize particles. Preferablyvsuch strainer is ofthe rotary .9

type, beingdriven byanauxiliary'power source 21, driving through a reduction gea 28, and universal joint 29 to rotate the movable strainer element, thereby clearing the strainer of anycol'- lectedly lumps or particles, the latter lI ieiug 'dis- 39, thereby forming a pressurev inlet chamber v4|)` at ,the upper kend, `and v8, pressure Outlet 'pr dis; Charge Chamber 4I at the' lower end.`

Inwardly. the shell 3Iiis bored and provided with a shoulder 44 to serve as a seat for a. cyliny drical sleeve 45 which extends the length of the central "cylindrical portion of the shell. Coaxial withsleeve 45 and located inwardly thereof is a' cylinder 46 of somewhat less outer ,diameter than the inner dameternof cylinder 45 such that an` annular space 41 is left between the two cylindrical surfaces, Ithis space providing an annular orifice through which the' composition is passed;V

Cylinder 46 carries a depending pin or extension 48 which is adapted to be received vin a recessed bearing 5.0 `formed ina spider 52 which lin turn is bolted into the shell 36 by means of bolts 54.

The spider h as openings 55 formed therein to pro-l vide for the free passage ofthe fluid there-1 through, and as cylinder 46 in operation tends` to'maintain itself in a position of Aunifornri clearance with respect to sleeve 45, the principallonc-` tion of the spider is merelyto support thel inner. cylinder against the thrust load caused bythe suitable collecting tanktobe used along with the main* body of thefcomposition.' j `Means areA provided formeasuring the pressureof the liquid in each ofchambersMl and 4 I Y; As shown a pressure diaphragm 60 is mounted adjacent eachchamb'er Iand has communication therewithsofthat it isv responsive to the'pressure condition therein, a suitable indicating vdial 6I being provided to indicate. thei'respective pressures on thediaphragms. Iffdesired,the instrument mag/comprise aicombined instrument directly lindicative of or responsivel to'the-"pre'ssure, differential between the two chambers. .The latter instrument is preferably, used in rvconjunction with the control 'of they addition of'a diluent toy the compositiornin order to maintaina predetermined condition of viscosityntherein."

I n thej'construction vabove described' there' are ,certainimportant relationships'to be observed. `The shearingV stress exerted `on'y the iiuidis a function ofthe product Yof the'viscosity' of the uid andthe rate of shear. Such rate of shear,

y.under conditionsfofconstantvelcicityjof flow, is

dependent upon the geometryv of "the "particular viscosimeter, `that is, vuponthe innerand outer radius of the annular 'space jbetween :thetwo stationary cylinders. The shearing stress 'within zov if) -dri the fluid is balanced by a pressure difference between the inlet chamber 4IIV and the discharge chamber 4I, The relationships'may be determined mathematlcally as follows: y

Thus :if r is the radial distanceirom the axis vofl the cylinders to a point in the annular space 41, 21rrdr is the `area of a small'circular lamina in that region. If -o is the ,velocity of the'fluld at this point r, then theover-all velocity of iiow of the fluid V can be found. by integration of 21rrvdr through the region between thetwo cylinders. This is foundy to be a function o f the geometry or physical constantsof the two cylin'-v ders, and to vary directlyasthe pressure difference and v'inversely as the viscosity.

Using` the following symbols vV=flowr ratein cc. per second passed between the cylinders.r u v==velocity of fluldfat any radial distance (r) from the axis second.

` gion in reciprocal seconds. p=fluid viscosity in poises.

line of the cylinders `in cm. vper :average rate of shear-in theorice repi-pz=pressure drop across` the cylinders., in

dynes per square cm. f

l=length of cylinders incm. L y

b=radius of outer cylinder in cm.

a=radius of t inner cylinder vin cm.

log =log to base e or natural base..-

' The nnalequations may be written as f ollowsf:

at the point r, it is vthen possiblejto vdetermine the average rate of shear bya well known calculus procedure, the average rate of shear y And by substitution to derive-anv expression in terms of pressure diiferences, there is'obtained the following equation: .P1-.Pinie e) 9) l *b .adfwp f. This equation may be rewritten as follows-z 4l# di) ,Y Pi-PV-a (o from whichy p i P -P ba Q- l-) l V(7) (dT A n From the above it will be seen that the vis'- cosity is a direct function of the pressure difference, at a constant rateof shear and that the rate of shear is itself directlydependent upon the velocity. Thus by maintaining aoconstant predetermined velocity, the pressure difference is a direct measurement ofthe viscosity of the fluid.v By providing an instrument sensitive `to pressure diierences, and causing that instrument to control the flow of one yor another of the components of the composition, such as` the supply of dilution water added tothe coating composition, or the addition of a thickening material, the composition may be continuouslysupplied in a condition of regulated viscosityl at a predetermined definite rate of shear. Such rate of shear is preferably selected to be comparable with that which occurs at the place and under the conditions at which the composition is applied to the paper sheet.

The above mathematical expressions will likewise indicate the manner in which the viscosimeter may be constructed for any particular flow rates,vpressure differences, rates of shear, and range of v iscosities. .Itis rstdetermined, on

the basis of the material to be handled, whether such Vmaterial is thixotropic,l dilatant, korv a true- Newtonian uid, and the conditions vunder which the fiuid is tobeused, as. to approximate rate of shear in theiinalvapplication, are likewise approximately determined. I In thecase of the coatingcomposition vfor use in.coatingv papen) such composition is thixotropic, andunder theconditions fof application to the paper. it is'subject' to a relatively high shear` ingl rate, of severalhundred reciprocalseconds. Accordingly; f in constructing a viscosimeter for such use,v a shearingrate of this order'isadopted.

`By reference to Equation No. 4 it will be seen that awnumberot different'combinations of V, b and a will give the desired rate of shear. Also by reference -to Equation N o`.f5and"with the approximate value of the viscosity ,of theffiuid under 4test being known, .thepres'sure drop is made to be within a proper range for the instruments avaiflable, y'andwith that range selected, an `approximate valueV 'of b kanda may be'ealsily determined. Ihereaften .with a selectedy range of dimensions forb ando, the values of V; and a and b areadditionally considered and selected to be such asto satisfy both ofEqu'ation"s 4 and `5. It will; also beapparentfrom the abovethat the pressure difference is4 directly proportional 4to the i cylinder z geometry,` assuming a constant flow rateU Varying the flow rate on cylinder length changes the value of; the conversion factor relating the-,-pressure` drop to jp'g'iises` of viscosity. It is also.l important t0 note from -Equation 4 that a change in Afio'w ratewiu likewise change thetestng rate ofshean Forthat reason the instrument includes both a positive displacement pumpoperating `at constant speed,. anda `1.10 to 1,70 poises., A The theoretical Values flow meterto determine. that such flow isheld Constant. t

. FromwEquation 'Zit'will appear that at constant IVelocity of flowand hence constant avercosimeterata velocity of fiow of approximately ve gallons per-minute.` The innerrradius of cylinden- 45 .(dimension.b) is 0.4.04;Omin.y andthe outer-radius of cylinder 4 6 n (dimension a) is G.4528in.,'` leaving an annular space 0.0488 in. in width. vThe lengthaofthe `annular space is 4.250 in. This. is found toproduce in operation a pounds persquare` inch, the composition under a shearing rateof v,200 reciprocal seconds having an apparent viscosity of 110 to 170 centipoises, or

and computations above discussed. may be verified by passing a calibratingLfluid-.of known viscositythrough the'instrument, and then calculating its viscosity from these `measurable quantitiesi In such ,com-i parisons vthe calculated lviscosities have correspondedtqute closely to the known 'values of viscosity.v Glycerolewater solutions whose viscosities are known in terms of temperature and specific` gravity are very useful for this purpose. It is also advisable to check the instrument from time to time in this way to determine that no and discharged into tank |0| from whichtlie main supply |02 goes to the, paper machine coatf y ing press |03, suitable pumping mechanism being provided as required. Thecomposition as suppliedto tank |0| is purposely too thick and a sup-- piy of dilution water leads into ,the tank through line |04, suitable agitatorsog' mixers being located in the tank to secure uniform'inc'orporation.

Whatis claimed is: l f l 1. A viscosimeter of the character described comprising coaxial innerand outer members in predetermined xedrelation to each other leaving a continuous annular space between said members of predetermined small dimensions, a pressure chamber at either end of said members in communication with said space, means for introducing fluid to be measured to one of said pressure chambers at constant velocity, means for disy@charging the fiuid from the other of 4said chambers, and means for measuring the pressures in The; constant delivery pump |05 withdraws a sample from line |02 and supplies it at constantv velocity to the viscosimeter |06,the discharged lliquid being returned by pipe ||01 to the tank line |02 for delivery to the press |03. The viscosimeter, operating as above described, measures the viscosity of the composition at a definite rate of shear and upon an increase in the viscosity above the desiredlevel, the differential pressure is increased and is made to operate the 'differential pressure device |08, indicated as a single instrument responsive to the difference of the two pressures, which hasavalve in air'supply line |09 to supply air'through line I0 to a vthrottling control valve I I`| in Water line |04. The valve vfis preferably normally open and is closed to a regulated degree uponl application offa predeterminedA air '-pressure. Valve upon opening permits water to flow into the tank I0| at a greater rate, thereby reducing the viscosity of the composition both said chambers'and determining the pressure difference as a measure of the viscosity of the fluid. y,

2. v.A viscosimeter measuring the viscosity of a liquid under a predetermined rate of shear comprising a pair of concentric cylinders, means for supporting said cylinlders in fixed relation one within the other leaving an annular space therebetween of predetermined small dimensions, means forming a Vpressure chamber at each end ofA said cylinders, means for introducing fluid to be measured to one of said pressure chambers under constant velocity of flow, means forrdischarging the fiuid from the other ofV said chambers after its passage through ity of a liquid under a predetermined high rate to the' proper value. Thereafter the viscosimeter of supply of liquid is reduced. V'Thus the rate of supply of diluting water is controlled in relation to the excess viscosity over the predetermined desired amount.r If desired additional safety valves may be incorporated to protect the system against failure of the air supply, or the like, including a normally closed valve fl I2 and a manual-control valve |I3 which normally supplies air thereto to retain the valve open but which can be closed to remove air pressure and thereby stop the flow of The device of this inven-tionthus embodies no moving parts in the instrument itself, and provides for measurement of the lviscosity conditions by means of'sirnple and accurate pressure indicators or recorders. The range of the instrument may be changed quite readily through the provision of additional combinations of 'inner andA outer cylinders, such cylinders providing annular vention', it is to be understood that the invention is not limited'to this precise form'of apparatus, and that changes maybe made therein without departing 'from the scope of the invention which is defined in the appended claims. i

responds to the lower viscosity, and the air pressure is applied to control valve H so that the rate of shear comprising a pair of fixed concentric bodies one within `the other and spaced from each other soas to form -an annular passage therebetween of predetermined small cross-sectional area and length, a pressure chamber communicating with each end of said space, means for supplying the fluid at constant velocity into one of said pressure chambers for'travel through said annular passage to establish predetermined rate of shear conditions, meansi for discharging said fluid from. the other of said pressure chambers, and means responsive to the pressure difference in said chambers providing a direct linear indication of the viscosity of said fluid under said rate of shear conditions.

4. A viscosimeterofl the character described providing a direct linear indication of the viscosity of a liquid under ar predetermined high rate of shear comprising a pair of concentric cylinders, means for supporting said cylinders in fixed relation one within the other leaving an annular space therebetween' of predetermined small dimensions, means forming a pressure chamber `at k each end of said cylinders and in direct communi- RUDOLPH N.GRIESHE1MER.

ofthe character described for- 

